AMD Turbo Core

Last updated
AMD Turbo Core
Design firm Advanced Micro Devices
Introduced2010
Type dynamic frequency scaling

AMD Turbo Core a.k.a. AMD Core Performance Boost (CPB) is a dynamic frequency scaling technology implemented by AMD that allows the processor to dynamically adjust and control the processor operating frequency in certain versions of its processors which allows for increased performance when needed while maintaining lower power and thermal parameters during normal operation. [1] AMD Turbo Core technology has been implemented beginning with the Phenom II X6 microprocessors based on the AMD K10 microarchitecture. [2] AMD Turbo Core is available with some AMD A-Series accelerated processing units. [3]

Contents

AMD Turbo Core is similar to Intel Turbo Boost, which is another dynamic processor frequency adjustment technology used to increase performance, as well as AMD PowerNow!, which is used to dynamically adjust laptop processor's operating frequencies in order to decrease power consumption (saving battery life), reduce heat, and lower noise. AMD PowerNow! is used to decrease processor frequency, whereas AMD Turbo Core is used to increase processor frequency.

Background

To decide a processor's clock speed, the processor is stress tested to determine the maximum speed that the processor can run at before the maximum amount of power allowed is reached, which is called thermal design power or TDP. It has been reported that customers would complain that the processors rarely consumed the rated TDP, which meant that most consumers do not come close to the power consumed during maximum stress testing. [4] A parameter called average CPU power (ACP) is used to address this issue. ACP defines the average power expected to be consumed with regular use, whereas TDP gives the maximum power consumed. Power consumed is an important factor when considering thermal limits and determining CPU power dissipation.

AMD Turbo Core and similar dynamic processor frequency adjustment technologies take advantage of average power consumed being less than the maximum design limits, allowing frequency (and the accompanying power and heat) to be increased for short periods of time without exceeding design limits.

Features

Advantages of AMD Turbo Core include: [4]

With the Ryzen processors, AMD has introduced extra auto-overclocking features: [5]

Processors supporting AMD Turbo Core

See also

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Ryzen is a brand of multi-core x86-64 microprocessors designed and marketed by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for desktop, mobile, server, and embedded platforms based on the Zen microarchitecture. It consists of central processing units (CPUs) marketed for mainstream, enthusiast, server, and workstation segments and accelerated processing units (APUs) marketed for mainstream and entry-level segments and embedded systems applications.

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References

  1. "AMD Turbo Core Technology". Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  2. Anand Lal Shimpi. "AMD's Six-Core Phenom II X6 1090T And 1055T Reviewed". AnandTech. AnandTech. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  3. "AMD Feature Details". Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 John Fruehe (31 January 2011). "Bulldozer Goes to 11". Business Blog. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Archived from the original on 11 March 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  5. "AMD SenseMI Technology".